Hypertext Almanac

Spider-Man in Moscow

A natural gas pipeline [exploded](http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/377036.htm) in western Moscow early Sunday, sending flames up to 200 meters into the air in what a top city official called the largest fire in the capital since World War II.

The spectacular fire drew a large crowd of onlookers, including a person who showed up wearing a Spider-Man suit but abstained from any attempts at heroics. “Mayor himself called me! — Spider-Man announced to everyone. — He asked me to save Moscow from fire!”